Alternative Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis Research Paper

Regularly using a diet from which foods are eliminated that are known to produce hives and other skin eruptions and asthmatic attacks shows no relationship with MS; b) Kousmine diet. This low-fat, low-concentrated sugar, high-fiber diet, supplemented by vitamins A, D, E, C, and B. complex does not indicate any scientific evidence in being effective in treating MS; c) Gluten-Free diet that excludes wheat and rye should be considered ineffective in MS treatment; d) Raw food, Evers diet that contains only natural and unprocessed foods, including a daily intake of germinated wheat, should be considered ineffective in MS treatment; and e) MacDougal diet, which combines a low-fat and gluten-free diet and adds supplements of vitamins and minerals, indicates no scientific evidence of being effective. MS specialists recommend that patients follow the same high-in-fiber, low-in-fat diet that is recommended for all adults. 2) Exercise:

There are some possibilities for treating MS that do not have any credence whatsoever in possible treatment. For example, according to the MS Society (2010), there is no scientific evidence to connect the development or worsening of MS with dental fillings containing mercury. Therefore, there is no reason that anyone should have these fillings removed. Even though poisoning with heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, or manganese, are able to cause damage to the nervous system and result in symptoms such as tremors and weakness, the injury is inflicted in a different way than that taking place in MS, and the process is also different. Similarly, regardless of long-standing claims about the possible advantages of bee venom for people with MS, a 24-week randomized study showed no reduction in disease activity, disability, or fatigue, and no improvement in quality of life.

A study of U.S. veterans by Campbell et al. (2006) added to a growing body of research suggesting that CAM use is prevalent among people with MS. Over one-third of the veterans with MS in VHA facilities who were surveyed indicated that they had used or presently use at least one type of CAM intervention to manage their symptoms. Furthermore, a sizeable number of these CAM users accessed several treatments. Finally, in addition to reported use, many surveyed veterans reported that they wanted CAM services. Due to this interest, the likelihood exists that the prevalence of CAM use will increase as more services or products become more available, affordable, or accessible.

It is very possible as studies continue regarding the use of alternative approaches to MS, scientists will find more support that some of the questionable methods do help. On the other hand, they may continue to find that those that do not appear to help remain so. In the meantime, it is important that patients keep their physicians up-to-date on the traditional and nontraditional medicines and other treatments they are following and not abandon traditional therapy even when the CAM works. Treatments that doctors recommend have been evaluated in controlled clinical trials or accepted by the MS medical community as safe and effective.

References

Bowling, A.C. & Stewart, T.M. (2003) Current complementary and alternative therapies for multiple sclerosis. Current Treatment Options in Neurology 5:55-68

Campbell, D., Williams, R.M., Hatzakis, M., Bowen, J.D., Rodriquez, A., & Haselkorn, J.K. Complementary and alternative medicine use in veterans with multiple sclerosis: Prevalence and demographic associations. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 43(1): 89-110

Hayes, C.E. (2000) Vitamin D: a natural inhibitor of multiple sclerosis Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 59(4): 531-535.

Jajicek, J. (2003) Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms. Lancet 362(9395): 1517-1526.

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (2010). Website retrieved April…